Buffalo Sabres

NHL 15: Buffalo Sabres Guide

Year in Review:

What’s left to say about the 2013-14 season other than it didn’t happen?

On to the next section…

In all seriousness, this was a season to forget for the Buffalo Sabres. Things started off poorly, as the Sabres didn’t even get their first win under new head coach Ron Rolston, who’d had his interim tag taken off in the offseason, until their 8th game of the season, when they beat the New York Islanders in a shootout. They didn’t even pick up their first regulation win until 4 games later, when they beat the Panthers in Sunrise.

That weekend, Sabres GM Darcy Regier decided a change was needed, sending off Sabres star Thomas Vanek to the New York Islanders for a conditional 2014 1st round pick, a 2015 second round pick, and Matt Moulson. It was a trade that would make the Sabres offense completely irrelevant for the entire season, as if it wasn’t already.

The Sabres coach would last just 6 more games until deep-pocketed owner Terry Pegula decided he’d had enough. After starting 4-15-1, it was time to bring in his secret weapons…

In walks Pat LaFontaine on his valiant white steed, along with his trusty sidekick, former (and now current) Sabres coach Ted Nolan.

It was like we’d all stepped into a time machine and went back to 1996. It was weird.

Ron Rolston and Darcy Regier were relieved of their duties. Regier had been the GM of the Sabres for 16 long seasons.

A few months later, Pat LaFontaine brought in Tim Murray to be the GM of the Sabres. The Sabres re-tooling of the roster was about to begin.

From there, things sort of got better, but not really. The Sabres efforts were better, but the results continued to be futile. Before long, the Sabres were selling off parts faster than the eye could see. Long-time goaltender Ryan Miller was sent off to the St. Louis Blues 3 days before the trade deadline. He, along with Sabres captain Steve Ott, went to the Blues in exchange for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, prospect forward William Carrier, a 2015 1st round pick, a 2014 second round pick, and a 2016 3rd round pick. Matt Moulson, picked up in the Vanek trade earlier in the year, went off to Minnesota along with Cody McCormick.

None of these events went on without something interesting happening. The day after Ryan Miller was traded, Sabres Vice President of Hockey Operations Pat LaFontaine resigned from his position with the team for undisclosed reasons. But fear not. The Sabres’ future was in good hands with Tim Murray.

From then on, the futility continued. The quest for a top two pick was complete.

Why the Buffalo Sabres Will Win the Stanley Cup This Year:

The Sabres brought back Matt Moulson and are returning their top offensive players, Tyler Ennis and Cody Hodgson. They also lured Brian Gionta away from the Habs, bringing along Josh Gorges as well. They have a healthy competition in goal between Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth. Rookie Sam Reinhart will look to make an impact right away. Zemgus Girgensons looks to continue his growth into the league.

Why the Buffalo Sabres Won’t Win the Stanley Cup This Year:

Now that we’re done doing drugs, the Sabres are still a mess, but they’re not as much of a mess as they were last year. With much of the same lineup last year, the Sabres were one of the worst teams ever offensively. Things are getting better, but not that much better. This team is still hot stinking garbage.